Off topic: Hassy 50mm vs 80mm

raytoei@gmail.com

[email protected]

Mentor
Local time
8:36 AM
Joined
Dec 27, 2009
Messages
2,022
Hi,

I dunno where to ask this.

If 80mm is the standard portrait lens for the 500C/M, when would a 50mm lens be used ?

I am contemplating between the 80 and the 50mm.

thanks

raytoei
 
On MF (6x6) 80mm is considered "normal" or equivalent to a 50mm on 35mm format.
The 50mm for 6x6 is considered a wide angle. It is roughly equivalent to a 28mm for 35mm

If you're looking for a "portrait" lens on a Hassy, the 150/4 is considered a classic "portrait" lens although the 120/4 and 180/4 can also be thought of as short/med tele's


[email protected] said:
Hi,

I dunno where to ask this.

If 80mm is the standard portrait lens for the 500C/M, when would a 50mm lens be used ?

I am contemplating between the 80 and the 50mm.

thanks

raytoei
Click to expand...
 
The Hassy 80mm is a standard or normal lens. The 50mm is a wide angle lens roughly like a 35 in 35mm film cameras. I have a late model 50mm and it is wonderful glass but just too big and heavy for me. A good Hasselblad with the normal 80mm lens is a wonderful package. It would be my first choice for medium format. My Pentax 6x7 is a wonderful camera but it eats batteries and I almost get whiplash from the slap of the giant mirror. I have been known to go slumming with a Kiev 60. The 50mm for the Kiev 60 is a wonderful lens. Good Luck, Joe
 
Usually the 150mm is considered the portrait lens. The 80 is a standard lens, similar to a 50mm lens on a 35mm camera. The 50mm Hassy lens is a wide angle, and wouldn't be used at all for portraits.

mack_9-9-08.jpg

Portrait with the 150mm f4 Sonnar

feighner-farm5.jpg

Pic from the standard 80mm. Note the normal perspective. Good for full length portraits and groups but not really that great for close-up portraits

sandpoint-tv.jpg

Taken with the 50mm CF-Distagon wide angle.
 
If I remember right the 50 is a bit bigger than the 80 so carrying gives you a somewhat bigger package. Not sure if that's an issue or not. I'd start with the 80, hard to believe from the guy who rarely shoots with a 50 on 35mm camera.

B2 (;->
 
Wow. So there is a difference. Thanks for the advice.

I just bidded successfully for a '87 C/M model with Waist Level Finder/ Acute-Matte and a 120 back.

As a beginner of everything and anything photography, I think I will start with a 80mm/f2.8 first.

thanks!
 
[email protected] said:
Wow. So there is a difference. Thanks for the advice.

I just bidded successfully for a '87 C/M model with Waist Level Finder/ Acute-Matte and a 120 back.

As a beginner of everything and anything photography, I think I will start with a 80mm/f2.8 first.

thanks!
Click to expand...

Thats a good all around lens. I use my 80 about 75% of the time. I prefer the 50mm in 35mm work 75% of the time too so I guess it depends on your style of working. I know there's a lot of guys here on RFF who use a 35mm lens all the time on their leicas.
 
You might also consider the 60mm Distagon, which is at least 100g lighter than the 50mm & a really good performer, in my experience. I use it as a standard lens; field-of-view equivalent to about 38mm in 35mm format
David
 
Get the 80mm and add an extension ring (24mm for instance) to the package for getting closer if necessary. Minimum focussing distance of 1 m can be limiting.
 
The 50 is an awesome lens, and you can close focus with it. Problem I find with the 80 is that it has that 3ft. wall that you hit, and you'd have to use a Proxar closeup lens to get closer. I have a 50 mounted on my 500 ELM, and believe it or not, you can work pretty quickly with it.
 
I use the 50,80,100 and 140 for portraits. Just depends what I want the picture to look like.
For a tighter headshot you have to use an extension ring with all these lenses.
I'd say start with a 80 as an alrounds lens with a 10 or 24mm extension ring. If you really do a lot of portraits get the 150 too.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema
 
Film dino said:
You might also consider the 60mm Distagon, which is at least 100g lighter than the 50mm & a really good performer, in my experience. I use it as a standard lens; field-of-view equivalent to about 38mm in 35mm format
David
Click to expand...

I also have the 60CF/3.5 for my 503CX. I was debating on buying the 80 or the 50. To save $$ I bought the 60CF and find that I uses it 90%. The other 10% was for when I rented a 150/4 or 120/4.
If the FOV equivalent is 38mm, it might explain why I'm intrigued by the 40 'cron for my Leica CL - which I currently have a 28 Skopar and 50/2 collapsible for.
 
When you wish to go longer, don't overlook the 160mm or 250mm for people pictures or compressed landscapes. Watch which way you point the 80mm Planar. It will flare just like an early 50mm Summicron.
 
hi,

In a fit of madness, i sold off my 80mm but retained my 150mm.. I am contemplating either the 50/f4 or the 60/f3.5. I understand the close focus to be about 0.5m for the 50mm and 0.6m for the 60mm.

Is it logical to go for a 60mm to pair with the 150 if I want to bypass the 80mm ?

thanks
 
If you have some digital zoom shots, check your exif data for FL - nearly all my shots were at ~35mm and the rest were at ~90mm. I have very few in the 50mm range.

So, I got a 60 and 150. I don't miss not having the 80 at all. A 40mm or SWC will be added at some point. A big advantage of the more numerous 50-80-150s is that they are inexpensive relative to other lenses of the line.

Besto,
- Charlie
 
Last edited:
If you think in 35mm terms, the 50mm on a Hassy feels like a 28mm, the 60mm feels like a 35mm, I would either start with the 80mm, or, if you can afford it, with the 60 and 100 mm. Both these lenses are superb and optically better than the 80 Planar, and make a great combo. The 100 mm feels like a 60mm lens on a 35mm camera, pretty good for general photography, yet slightly tighter for a portrait than the standard.

Distagon 60

1196316254_ba005c5347_b.jpg


Planar 100

1425333602_6115d353d9_b.jpg


BTW, excuse me for the quality of these shots, but these are scanned on V750 and converted from slides.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top